Mar 07

Snow (Handbells, 3 octaves, Level 1+)

I love living in Michigan. The rotation of the seasons give me something to love every month, and something fresh to do every three months. Okay… mowing in the spring and summer, raking in the autumn, and shoveling in the winter. But it’s exercise, and I’m in better shape for it!

In the handbell world, Level 1+ pieces are a bit difficult to find at times. That’s because the required accessibility constrains the amount of complexity that can be written into the score. However, they also are the staple of beginning handbell players, because they introduce them to our instrument and start them on the road to more complicated music.

Here’s a new Level 1+ piece that I hope you’ll enjoy. It’s about the snow that comes each year, and how it flutters from the sky.

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Mar 03

While on the Sea (UKRAINE) – eight handbells and piano

We go through our life as if navigating a great ocean in a small boat. The waves are large, and threaten us continually. The water is unfathomably deep, and we fear what might happen if we were dumped into it. And so we pray to God for protection and safety, for He is our hope.

This Ukrainian folk hymn was translated to English by the missionary Stephen Bilak. We’re pleased to present our arrangement for eight accompanied handbells.

English

While on the sea hear the terrible roaring;
See how the boat of my life rolls with me;
In fear of death and in deepest of anguish.
Lord, hear my prayer; watch my soul on the sea.

Save me, O merciful Father, forgive me;
How as my life with its ending I see.
My youthful strength has been spent in the battle.
Lord, now I beg You, have mercy on me.

I have no strength left to aid on my journey;
Help me to reach that fair land past the sea;
Help me to travel to my native country.
Lord now I beg You, have mercy on me.

(This translation ©1974 ACU Press)

 Russian:

Страшно бушует житейское море,
Сильные волны качают ладью.hymn
 :,: В ужасе смертном, в отчаянном горе:
«Боже, мой Боже!» – к Тебе вопию. :,:

Сжалься над мною, спаси и помилуй!
С первых дней жизни я страшно борюсь.
 :,: Больше бороться уж мне не под силу: «Боже, мой Боже!» – Тебе я молюсь. :,:

К пристани тихой Твоих повелений
Путь мой направь и меня успокой.
 :,: И из пучины житейских волнений
К берегу выведи, Боже благой!

The eight bells in the score are accompanied by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Feb 28

All Glory, Laud and Honor – eight handbells and piano

One of the great Palm Sunday hymns is All Glory, Laud, and Honor. The text was written by St. Theodulph in the seventh century (!), and Melchior Teschner composed the tune we know about a millennium later. You’ll enjoy playing our accompanied eight-bell arrangement!

All glory, laud, and honor to You, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel and David’s royal Son,
Now in the Lord’s name coming, the King and Blessed One.

The company of angels is praising You on high;
And we with all creation in chorus make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before You went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems before You we present.

To you before your passion they sang their hymns of praise;
To You, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
As You received their praises, accept the prayers we bring,
For You delight in goodness, O good and gracious King!

The eight bells in the score are accompanied by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!

Feb 24

Blest Be the Tie that Binds (DENNIS) – for sixteen handbells

The greatest blessing of Christian faith is our everlasting tie to God. With that comes an equally long-lived bond with other believers. The nineteenth-century hymn Blest Be the Tie that Binds speaks of this earthly bond which one day will be perpetuated in heaven.

Our arrangement for sixteen handbells is relatively easy, and will work well in your service.

Blest be the tie that binds / Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship our spirit finds / Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne, / We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one / Our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes; / Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows / The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part, / It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again.

From sorrow, toil, and pain, / And sin we shall be free;
And perfect love and oneness reign / Through all eternity.

Purchasing this 16-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to eight copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Feb 21

We have a new video for Rescue (for handbell choir, 3 to 7 octaves)!

We published Rescue, an original handbell piece for three to seven octaves, some time ago. Now we’ve made a new video!

Rescue draws a picture of a bit of the composer’s own life story… but while the details aren’t shared here, perhaps you can think of a time when your own path was dark and dangerous, and when an unexpected rescue arrived.

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Feb 17

Those Were the Days by Gene Raskin – new video!

We released our five-octave handbell arrangement of Gene Raskin’s Those Were the Days a little while ago, and now we’re pleased to share our new video, complete with tambourine, flute, wood block, and kazoos. We hope you enjoy watching it!

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Permission to perform also is included; for permission for broadcast, livestream, and upload/archive to social media or websites, please contact: ESSEX MUSIC, INC. 266 West 37th Street 17th Floor, New York, NY 10018 USA T: (212) 594-9795 NorthAmerica info@troessexmusic.com

See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Feb 14

Five (handbells, 3-5 octaves, Level 2+)

We’ve produced a new five-octave video of Five, our (Larry and Carla’s) fifth-anniversary handbell piece. It’s Level 2+, and you’ll have fun looking for all the “fives” written into the score!

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Feb 10

Jesus, Lover of My Soul (ABERYSTWYTH)(Handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, Level 3)

This week, we have a new handbell arrangement of Jesus, Lover of My Soul, based on the hymn tune ABERYSTWYTH. This is normally a minor key melody, but in the second verse of the score it moves nicely into major key. We hope you enjoy playing it, and that your congregation is brought closer to the Lord as you share it with them.

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Feb 07

Wedding Bells – for eight handbells

In England, it’s important to have bells at your wedding; if you don’t, many think it’s bad luck. So if you’re fortunate enough to book a church with a functioning bell tower, you can request the services of the local tower ringers to bless your new life.

There, however, are ceremonies where there’s no carillon available, such as a garden wedding or a gathering at the seashore. For these, we have a solution in handbells! Just play our one-page score, and you can make the celebrating couple’s day even more joyous!

These ringing patterns are also appropriate for worship services and other events where an special touch is wanted. All you need is your bells, the music, and a music stand (and something to fasten the score to your stand if you’re playing outdoors!).

Feb 03

Newness (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 1)

The Bible tells us to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). It’s all about the beauty and joy of a redeemed soul experiencing God’s love and guidance from day to day and minute to minute. This original piece depicts how that newness feels.

We’ve had this original handbell work in Level 2/3 form for a while, and now we’ve added a Level 1 version that preserves the charm of the piece. Now younger/less experienced handbell choirs can share the joy!

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Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.